Spikes go 0-2 over weekend against the Cyclones

August 12, 2013

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The State College Spikes were overpowered by the Brooklyn Cyclones' offensive display on Sunday night, as 16 Brooklyn hits contributed to the Spikes' 9-2 defeat at MCU Park.

The State College (30-22) margin of defeat was the largest for any single game this season, and the 16 hits were the most by any opponent in a single game in 2013.

Despite the loss, the Spikes stayed a half-game in front of Lowell for the New York-Penn League wild card lead, and remained just two games behind Jamestown for the lead in the NYPL's Pinckney Division.

State College took the opening lead of the game when Steven Ramos's third-inning bunt single turned into a trip around the bases thanks to two errors. However, Brooklyn (26-26) scored four runs in the bottom of the third to take the lead, and added runs in the fifth and sixth before putting the game away with a three-run eighth.

Alex De Leon drove in the other Spikes run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning. Luis Perez and Mason Katz each contributed doubles to the State College offensive cause.

Ronald Castillo made his first appearance for the Spikes since July 21 when he was activated from the disabled list earlier in the day. Castillo started in left field and batted ninth, going 0-for-1 with a strikeout before being replaced in the fourth inning.

L.J. Mazzilli led the Cyclones offense with a 4-for-5 game in which he knocked in two runs and scored three. Matt Oberste also added three hits for Brooklyn, while Alex Sanchez delivered a two-run homer to left field in the eighth to complete the scoring.

State College starter Jimmy Reed (2-2) took the loss after being bumped up in the rotation. Reed yielded five runs, four of them earned, over four innings of work. The southpaw gave up seven hits and a walk while striking out two.

Right-hander Kevin Herget went three innings in relief and allowed an unearned run on six hits while notching one strikeout.

Cyclones starter Carlos Valdez (2-2) earned the win after giving up one unearned run on five hits and a walk over six innings of work. Valdez also racked up eight strikeouts.

Five Spikes will now make their way to Connecticut for Tuesday's New York-Penn League All-Star Game at Dodd Stadium in Norwich. Ramos and Castillo are slated to start the game in the outfield for the National League squad, while David Washington will start at first base. Shortstop Cesar Valera and outfielder Jimmy Bosco will also appear in the game in a reserve role. First pitch for the NYPL Midsummer Classic is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. on Tuesday.

Saturday

Cyclones 2, Spikes 1

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The State College Spikes' prolific offense was limited to just two hits by Brooklyn Cyclones pitching on Saturday night, leading to the Cyclones taking a 2-1 decision at MCU Park.

Brooklyn starter John Gant took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, and gave up both State College hits. Cesar Valera's infield single with one out in the sixth started the brief Spikes rally, and Carson Kelly knocked him in with another single to draw State College within a run.

However, Cyclones reliever John Mincone and Johnny Magliozzi (4) retired nine straight Spikes batters over the last three innings to preserve the final score.

State College was also forced to used Sunday's intended starting pitcher, Nick Petree, to finish out the game after Willy Paulino (2-2) was forced out of the box in the fourth. Paulino was tagged with both runs on three hits, three walks and three hit batsmen while also throwing a wild pitch over 3 1/3 innings.

Petree allowed an inherited runner to score in the fourth, but tossed 4 2/3 strong innings. The right-hander out of Missouri State gave up three hits and two walks while striking out three, and set down ten batters in a row from the fifth through ninth innings.

Gant went a total of six innings and walked three batters while striking out seven. Mincone struck out one batter in two perfect innings.